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"Hey Rosie!" Jim greeted as I sat beside him up front. "Seatbelt please, or your boyfriend will beat me."
Elise was at the backseat, with earphones on. She told me she'd come with me to JK's house as moral support, but was very much annoyed that he isn't coming home til 11. We both have a class at 8am tomorrow, I can't stay out too late.
"Sorry to bother you at this time, Jim," I said. "I told JK I can take a cab but—"
"No issues, Rosie, you're my brother's girlfriend so..." He smiled at me. I saw him look at Elise through the rearview mirror.
Jim just drove in silence. So I just focused out the window and watched the night lights.
JK seemed not mad at me. He messaged me saying he's coming late, and called Jim to take me home.
But then, he didn't respond to my apology.
I didn't notice we're outside Elise's house until El tapped me on the shoulder.
"See you tomorrow," she said and went out.
"Okay. Pack your things, don't forget," I called after her. She just gave me an OK sign before going inside.
"Why, where are you going?" Jim asked when we're on the road again.
"El, Suey, and Jen are sleeping over at my house tomorrow."
"Without JK?"
"It's a girls'night, Jim."
"Ah, so you're gonna roast him?" he chuckled.
"Of course not!" I said. "You and Elise are not really talking?" I asked, knowing it's the only way to change the topic.
He didn't say anything.
"You really like her, Jim."
"I'm not as persistent as you, Rose Anne."
We laughed.
"Jim, you know Elise is the type of person who wouldn't admit what she really feels. If she can deny it, she will."
Jim snorted, "She simply doesn't feel the same way I do, Rosie."
"So you're giving up?"
He laughed. How can laughter sound sad?
"She clearly told me to set my boundaries, and I am not a jerk to not give her that," he glanced at me. "I cannot force myself on her."
I nodded. Jim and I are somehow in the same boat. "Do you know JK's not speaking to me?"
"Really?" he looked at me with a frown.
"He didn't tell you?"
"Nah, didn't have the chance to. He was out doing committee things the whole day."
So he's not avoiding me!
"Why, he didn't tell you?" He said, copying my tone.
"Not that he didn't... Well... I found out... Ah, Jim, when I called JK this morning, someone named 'Queen?' Well she's the one who answered?"
